Impact of visual impairment on the occurrence of posttraumatic and psychotic symptoms following aggression

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Valentin Coutant1, Sylvain Dal2 Published in the journal : July 2022 Category : Psychiatrie adulte

Summary :

Based on a clinical case description and associated literature review, this article sought to investigate the multidirectional interactions between trauma, psychosis, and visual impairment.

Trauma and psychosis have been mostly described separately, though they share mutually-reinforcing interactions. Visual impairment alters the perception of the world. As a result, visual deficiency modifies the expression of psychiatric symptoms and promotes the risk of developing psychotic symptoms. In some cases of severe traumatisation, psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions have been reported to occur outside of the schizophrenia spectrum. This is referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Secondary Psychosis (PTSD-SP).

The diagnosis of this condition is paramount in view of the treatment that must be administered to the patient. Emphasis should first and foremost be placed on treating trauma rather than on exclusively reducing psychotic symptoms.

What is already known about the topic?

Trauma and psychosis interact and reinforce each other. Visual impairment modifies both the perception of the environment and expression of post-traumatic symptoms.

What does this article bring up for us?

In some cases of severe traumatization, psychotic symptoms have been reported to occur outside of the schizophrenia spectrum. Visual impairment likely increases the risk of developing such symptoms.

This is particularly relevant in determining how the patient should be treated.

Key Words

Trauma, PTSD, PTSD-SP, psychosis, schizophrenia, visual impairment, hallucinations